Director of Innovation School

United States·San FranciscoFull-timeexecutive

OtherInnovation

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Quick Summary

Overview

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we…

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At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

The Director of Innovation School is a founding leader responsible for designing, launching, leading and scaling Rocketship's Innovation School, a first-of-its-kind lab school opening in Fall 2026 within an existing Rocketship campus. The Innovation School serves as a learning laboratory for Rocketship, providing a unique opportunity to design and pilot new instructional models that leverage fresh approaches to optimize instruction, AI-enabled learning, staffing, and school day structure while ensuring a rigorous, joyful, and equitable experience for students. These new models and the lessons learned from this program will drive future system-wide innovation.

This role encompasses two ongoing, interconnected bodies of work: design and planning, focused on translating a bold instructional vision into a coherent, executable school model; and implementation and iteration, leading high-quality execution while stewarding disciplined learning as the school grows. Over time, a third dimension of the work emerges: scaling, translating the lessons and practices developed in the Innovation School into guidance and models that can inform Rocketship's broader network. The Director operates at the intersection of instruction, talent, operations, and technology, partnering closely with cross-functional teams while leading in high ambiguity.

Responsibilities

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7+ years in education, school leadership, or system-level instructional leadership

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Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives in ambiguous, build-from-scratch environments

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Deep understanding of elementary instruction and mastery-based learning

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Experience launching a new school, program, or major instructional model (preferred)

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Familiarity with innovative instructional approaches such as personalized, project-based, or competency-based learning (preferred)

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Comfort working alongside technology, product, or data teams (preferred)

Proven ability to lead cross-functional work and influence without direct authority

Expertise in using student achievement data to drive decision making

Strong systems thinker who can move from vision to execution

Track record of leading adults through significant role or practice shifts

Leadership competencies Successful candidates will demonstrate the following in their leadership and instructional practice:

Builder's mindset: Thrives in ambiguity; creates clarity where none exists

Instructional judgment: Protects rigor, coherence, and student learning above all

Change leadership: Leads adults through uncertainty with trust and urgency

Systems thinking: Anticipates downstream impacts of decisions

Execution excellence: Turns complex plans into operational reality

Learning orientation: Uses data and feedback to continuously improve

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy. For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.